Leonidas Vlahakis, a beloved figure in Melbourne’s Greek community, has an undeniable passion for celebrating Greek culture. A key organiser of the Antipodes Lonsdale Street Greek Festival, he shared some secrets and hot tips through our rapid-fire questions:
What’s the goal of the Antipodes Festival?
The overriding goal of the Antipodes Festival is to bring the community together in a joyous celebration of all things Greek in marvellous multicultural Melbourne.
What’s your earliest festival memory?
The first time I went to the Festival was 1997: George Dalaras and Eleftheria Arvanitaki absolutely owned Melbourne Town that night!
What’s your favourite thing about the festival?
My favourite thing about the festival is talking to the grandparents who come in to the city for the only time of the year, pull up a pew on Saturday at midday right in front of the main stage-and sit there for two days.
Share a top memory.
One of my greatest memories was when Michalis Hatzigiannis played in the pouring rain after we met then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
What’s new this year?
Something new this year is the silent disco in the open-air car park opposite the old Women’s Hospital. The Greek Herald is also supporting this year’s Cooking Demonstrations.
Share an Antipodes Festival secret.
Many people don’t know this, but the Antipodes Festival holds the record for the world’s biggest Zorba-set a couple of years ago.
Where do you go to escape the crowds?
When it gets too much, I go to the Mezzanine level of The Greek Centre, grab a seat, sit on the balcony-and watch the magic happen all around me.
What’s the Greekest thing at the festival that fits in the palm of your hands?
The Greekest thing about the festival that fits in the palm of my hand is the sheftalies from the Cypriot kitchen.
What do you do if you want to go to two events happening at the same time?
If there are two events occurring concurrently, I will go to one and view the other online-and be sure that we program better next year (lol)!
Share a hot tip.
A hot tip for festival visitors is Rena Morfi on Saturday night: we’ve never had an act quite like this before!
This year’s Antipodes Festival is being held on Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, from Saturday, February 22 to Sunday, February 23. For more details visit: www.antipodesfestival.com.au
